Quinoa Coconut Milk Porridge

This Quinoa Coconut Milk Porridge is the creamy, filling and coconut-flavoured version of traditional oatmeal. Something new to try with minimal ingredients but tons of flavour!

Originally published October 12, 2021. Updated April 28, 2025.

Why you need to try this Quinoa Coconut Milk Porridge

This recipe is for all of my oatmeal lovers that are looking to mix it up a bit. Quinoa is a great alternative that cooks similarly to other grains and takes on the flavour of whatever it’s paired with. 

In this case, the creamy coconut milk boosts the flavour to a richness that makes this breakfast incredibly cozy. You then have the option to add on any toppings to really make this dish your own!

No chopping or prep time required, just a few minutes on the stove and then you’re ready to go! You could also make a large batch of this and keep the leftovers in the fridge to reheat on busy mornings.

Try your hand at my take on a coconut milk oatmeal and let me know what you think!

What is quinoa?

If you haven’t heard of or tried quinoa before, it’s important to know that this is a seed and not a grain. Although similar in size, texture and cooking methods, it holds some differences compared to grain products. 

Quinoa contains all 9 essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein), meaning it is a complete source of protein. It’s also gluten-free, high in fiber, and packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals.

It can be used in place of many grains such as rice, buckwheat and millet.

Ingredients needed

Here’s what you need to make this Quinoa Coconut Milk Porridge:

• Quinoa (any colour)
• Canned coconut milk
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon

I have a longer list of toppings below but some of my favourites include sliced banana, blueberries, crushed walnuts and a dollop of Greek yogurt. You can also add some coconut flakes to really amplify the coconut flavour.

Substitutions

If you don’t have some of the suggested ingredients or you would like to make some adjustments, here are a few of my recommended substitutions:

• Lite coconut milk
  • For the creamiest texture I use full fat coconut milk in this recipe but the lower fat, lite (or light) coconut milk will also work.
• Coconut milk alternatives
  • Instead of coconut milk, you could use a dairy milk or plant-based option like oat milk, almond milk or soy milk.
• Rolled oats
  • If you’re not a fan of quinoa or don’t have it available, you can also use rolled oats instead.
• Honey or agave syrup
  • Instead of maple syrup, use a drizzle of either honey or agave syrup in the quinoa mixture to increase the sweetness.

Topping suggestions

One of the best parts of this recipe is being able to customize it with toppings. Here are some suggestions:

• A selection of fresh fruit
  • Take your pick from sliced banana, fresh berries, kiwi, melon, stone fruit and more!
• Frozen fruit
  • Depending on the season you’re in, fresh fruit may not be as available to you. Feel free to use a variety of frozen fruit as a topping. Allow it to thaw, microwave it or heat it up on the stove before adding it to the porridge.
• Nut butters such as peanut butter or almond butter
  • These add such a great flavour and depth to this dish.
• Seed butters
  • To manage allergies or taste preferences, you can use seed butters instead of nut butters.
• Nuts and seeds
  • I love to add some nuts and seeds for an element of crunch as well as some extra protein, healthy fats and fibre. For example, chopped walnuts, sliced almonds or raw pumpkin seeds would all work well in this recipe!
• Coconut milk
  • If you have any leftover coconut milk, feel free to pour a little bit on top of the cooked quinoa. You get more coconut flavour and can alter the texture to be a bit softer.
• Desiccated coconut
  • Take the coconut flavour to the next level and add some shredded or grated coconut on top!
• Greek yogurt
  • For extra protein and calcium, add a dollop or two of Greek yogurt on top!

How to make Quinoa Coconut Milk Porridge

Here’s how you make this creamy coconut porridge:

1. To a small saucepan, add the dry quinoa, coconut milk and water and bring this mixture to a boil.
2. Reduce the heat, cover with the lid and let it simmer for roughly 10 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid has been absorbed. I recommend stirring the quinoa half way through to make sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
3. Once the quinoa is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and maple syrup.
4. Scoop the cooked porridge into a bowl and sprinkle on the cinnamon.
5. Add your preferred toppings and enjoy!⠀

Meal prepping

If your time is money and you don’t have 20 minutes to spare to make this Coconut Quinoa Porridge in the morning, don’t worry! You can make a big batch the night before and store it in the fridge overnight. 

In order to cook larger amounts, you may need to increase the cook time by approximately 5 minutes. 

By cooking it this way, you can prepare your breakfast in advance and save time and effort on your busy mornings! This method also gives you the flexibility to mix up the toppings each day, depending on your cravings! 

Storing and reheating leftovers

If you have leftover coconut milk porridge, allow it to cool before placing it in an airtight container. Keep this in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

To reheat, you can microwave it in 20-30 second increments. Alternatively, you could put it back in a small saucepan and heat it on low until it reaches your desired temperature. You may need to add a little bit of liquid, either water or coconut milk, to prevent it from drying out.

Nutrition

The nutrient profile of this recipe will vary greatly, depending on what toppings you choose to use. The base recipe of quinoa, coconut milk and maple syrup roughly provide the following per serving:

• 3 grams of fiber
• 6 grams of protein
• A variety of B vitamins
• Minerals such as iron, magnesium, zinc and more!

If you want to boost the protein content, consider adding toppings such as nut butter, chopped or sliced nuts or seeds, and/or Greek yogurt.

Dietary considerations

As a dietitian, I try to create recipes that can be made in multiple ways to suit various dietary restrictions. This recipe is already:

• Gluten free
• Grain free
• Dairy free
• Nut free
• Vegetarian
• Vegan

These dietary considerations can vary, depending on the toppings you decide to use.

I hope you love this Quinoa Coconut Milk Porridge! If you make it, I would love to see your comment and rating below. It also makes my day seeing your creations of my recipes on Instagram- don’t forget to tag @allnutritionkitchen!